Discover a recipe for delicious Mexican Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce! This easy-to-make Crockpot meal can be prepared in advance for a stress-free weeknight dinner. Try this flavorful dish for your next family meal!
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 7/2/15 TO IMPROVE READER EXPERIENCE.
Mexican Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce recipe is perfect as a main dish or an easy crockpot meatball appetizer.
Making them in a slow cooker makes them perfect for hands-off serving and a great dish to make and take!
Why I Like this Mexican Meatballs Appetizer Recipe
Mexican Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce recipe is super easy and makes some delicious, super moist meatballs.
The simple chipotle sauce that’s slathered around the meatballs adds a nice subtle kick without overwhelming heat, which is perfect for my wimpy taste buds.
We made this Chipotle Meatballs crockpot recipe for a party that we attended as an appetizer.
We started this easy meatball recipe earlier in the day and transported them in the crockpot.
Setting them to warm for serving kept them warm all evening. We love how everyone can help themselves to crockpot appetizers.
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Mexican Meatball Ingredients and Substitutions
Meatball Recipe
- Ground Meat – I used beef and pork. You can use any ground meat or combination of ground meat including chicken or turkey.
- Bread crumbs – Plain bread crumbs
- Milk – I used almond milk for a dairy-free meatball. You can substitute it with broth.
- Eggs – Grade A, large
- Seasonings – Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Ground Cumin, & Salt
Homemade Chipotle Sauce
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes – I used canned for convenience.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo – These peppers come in a small can found in the Mexican food aisle of most grocery stores.
- Garlic – I used fresh garlic
- Seasonings – Oregano (or Mexican oregano), salt, & cumin
- Broth – I used chicken broth
How to make Mexican Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, Milk, eggs, chili powder, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cumin.
- Roll into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place them on baking sheets lined with foil.
- Bake.
- Spray a crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Stir in tomatoes, chipotle peppers, broth, garlic, oregano, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cumin. Add the meatballs and cook on high for 3 hours.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Tips: This recipe only uses 3 of the peppers in adobo sauce. You can freeze the peppers that you don’t use.
Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
How to store Chipotle Meatballs.
This recipe made a bazillion meatballs (50 to 60 1-inch meatballs) so we were able to bring some home.
Refrigerator storage – They will last 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Freezer storage – This meatball appetizer also freezes amazingly well. Meatballs in chipotle sauce should be stored in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Thaw and reheat – You can thaw the meatballs at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. You can also reheat them without thawing them in the microwave, a saucepan over low heat, or add them back to the slow cooker.
How to Serve Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce
As a Mexican-inspired appetizer, you can either serve them from the crockpot with a pair of tongs.
I also like piling them on a serving dish with toppings such as cilantro, sour cream, salsa, jalapeno slices, and grated cheese in separate bowls. That way my guests can help themselves.
Chipotle meatballs make an easy lunch when you stuff them into a hoagie roll or tortilla for another easy meal.
What to serve with Mexican Meatballs? We served them for dinner over my favorite 4-Ingredient Tomatillo Rice. You could also serve them with a delicious side of our Cherry Chipotle Salad.
Chipotle, what does that mean?
Chipotle is a smoked jalapeno pepper. The jalapeno pepper has thicker walls that prevent them from drying like other peppers.
Smoking was intended to preserve them. The result is a delicious smoky spicy flavor profile perfect for Mexican Meatballs recipes.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce is a combination of smoked jalapenos and a red sauce made of chili powder, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and herbs.
You could definitely kick up the heat for people, like John, who like more of the inferno effect.
Frequently asked questions
Albondigas is an authentic Mexican meatball usually served in soup. This is my version of a Mexican meatball because of the spices used. I don’t claim it to be authentic.
Yes, for an easy Mexican appetizer, you can use frozen! There is no need to thaw the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot!
The addition of eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and broth guarantees that these meatballs will be moist.
You May Need:
- Scoops – When I make meatballs or cookies or anything that I want to be a similar size, I use scoops. They not only look better but they cook evenly too. I use a larger scoop when serving these meatballs for dinner or a smaller one when serving them as an appetizer
- Instant Read Thermometer – I have this brand but my thermometer cost about 9 times what this one does. I’ve had mine for several years but would go a little less expensive especially with these great reviews.
- Crock-Pot Slow Cooker – I like this brand and that it can be programmed. The lid can be locked for no-spill transportation.
The only changes that I’ve made to this recipe over the years are that I now bake this crockpot meatball appetizer is to brown them instead of using a skillet and hot oil on the stovetop. You can skip browning altogether if you choose to.
It’s less messy and I can bake them all at the same time instead of browning in batches.
They’re a little better for us by skipping the hot oil too.
Related recipes
If you make these Mexican Meatballs appetizer recipe stop back and let me know what you think!
Crockpot Mexican Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground meat – I used a combination of beef and pork
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup milk – any variety or substitute with broth
- 2 eggs – slightly beaten
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt – divided in half
- 1 tsp ground cumin – divided in half
- 28 oz fire-roasted tomatoes – diced or crushed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth – low sodium/fat-free chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves – chopped finely
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano – or regular dried oregano
- 3 chipotles in adobo – chopped (more for additional heat)
- Cilantro chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Line two baking sheets with foil and spray them with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, Milk, eggs, chili powder, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cumin. Roll into 1 tablespoon sized balls.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until meatballs registers 165 °F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Spray a crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Stir in tomatoes, chipotle peppers, broth, garlic, oregano, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cumin. Add the meatballs and cook on high for 3 hours. Stir in chopped cilantro prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
Recipes with a Mexican twist
- Mexican Avocado Cotija Dip
- Margarita Dip with Salted Pretzels
- Sofritas Chipotle Potato Skins
- Easy Cilantro Lime Shrimp
I have a great love for this recipe. It was one of the few recipes that brought me traffic at the beginning of my blogging life.
My photos were horrible even though I was so proud of them a the time.
Marsha
Monday 9th of December 2024
Can these be made ahead of time heated later? I can't wait to try these. I intend to take them to our office Christmas party that has a Mexican theme.
Marsha
Sunday 15th of December 2024
@Julie Menghini, Thank you for your reply! I do not understand 3 chipotles in Adobo. Ive googled it but it made me more confused because it said you get them canned in adobo and you said 3. Is your recipe actually making the Adobo and I have to try and find 3 dried and smoked chipotles?
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 10th of December 2024
The can definitely be made ahead of time. I think they'd be best if you pre-made and baked them and then heated them through in the crockpot depending how much time you have before they'd be served. I you will be serving them right away, pre-make them and heat them in the microwave. Just use the slow cooker to keep them warm.
Carrie
Saturday 16th of December 2023
These look amazing! Do you think crushed up Fritos or Tortilla chips could be used instead of breadcrumbs? Thank you!
Carrie
Saturday 16th of December 2023
@Julie Menghini, Thank you, Julie! I think I will give it a go! :)
Julie Menghini
Saturday 16th of December 2023
I love how you think, Carrie! I think that would be delicious. Make sure to crush them finely. Larger pieces would become soggy making the texture less appetizing.
Michaela Kenkel
Friday 25th of March 2022
These were perfect! My husband is a meatball fanatic, and I could eat Mexican every day!!
Julie Menghini
Friday 25th of March 2022
Thank you, Michaela! So glad you enjoyed them.
MS
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
That sauce is so good! We all loved it. I'm thinking about using it on grilled chicken breast - do you think that would work?
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
Great idea! Thank you!
Susannah
Monday 21st of March 2022
I cannot wait to make these again! Adding them to our monthly rotation for sure.
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
Thank you, Susannah! I need to make them more often!